NFL Playoff Bracket 2025-26: Standings, Scenarios After Broncos vs. Chiefs

Week 17 of the NFL season is under way after a trio of games took place on Christmas Day.

The Dallas Cowboys' 30-23 road win over the Washington Commanders kicked off the festivities. Both teams played for pride with their playoff hopes gone, and they turned in a solid game to open the day.

Then the Minnesota Vikings, behind a phenomenal defensive performance, stunned the visiting Detroit Lions 23-10 to knock them out of playoff contention.

Finally, the Denver Broncos held off an impressive effort from a severely shorthanded Kansas City Chiefs team en route to a 20-13 road victory. With the win, Denver stayed first in the AFC.

Following those results, here's a look at the current NFL standings and playoff scenarios.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Division Leaders (and Closing Schedules)

1. Denver Broncos (13-3, leads AFC West): vs. LAC *

2. New England Patriots (12-3, leads AFC East): at NYJ, vs. MIA *

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, leads AFC South): at IND, vs. TEN *

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, leads AFC North): at CLE, vs. BAL

*clinched playoffs

The New England Patriots are simultaneously trying to catch the Denver Broncos for first in the AFC while also attempting to hold off the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title.

At this point, to win the AFC, the Pats need to win both their remaining games at the 3-12 New York Jets and home vs. the 6-9 Miami Dolphins, who just lost 45-21 vs. the 5-10 Cincinnati Bengals. "Any given Sunday" is a mantra that holds true in the NFL, but chances are the Pats win those contests.

If New England goes 2-0, they still need the Broncos to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers at home to close the season. Denver holds the common opponents tiebreaker over New England because of the Pats' 20-13 home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

Ultimately, the Broncos control their own destiny for the No. 1 seed, but the Pats can steal it.

The Jags still have a shot at the No. 1 seed, but they would need to (a) win out, (b) see the Broncos lose to L.A. and (c) see the Pats lose one of two. They own the tiebreaker over Denver (head-to-head) and New England (conference record).

The Steelers may not need to do anything to win the AFC North. If the Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, they will win the division. If Baltimore wins, the Steelers can beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and take care of business.

Wild-Card Teams (and Closing Schedules)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4): vs. HOU, at DEN *

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4): vs. PHI, vs. NYJ *

7. Houston Texans (10-5): at LAC, vs. IND

*clinched playoffs

The Los Angeles Chargers have clinched a playoff berth, but they also control their own destiny for the AFC West. If they win their final two games, then they'll jump the Denver Broncos. L.A. would own the tiebreaker against Denver by virtue of a 2-0 head-to-head record.

The Buffalo Bills can also win the AFC East, but that would be a tougher endeavor. In essence, the 11-win Bills need to make up a game in the standings against the 12-win Patriots. If the two teams finish tied, then Buffalo would get in via the conference record tiebreaker.

However, the Patriots have an easier schedule down the stretch at the Jets and home vs. Miami, so Buffalo simply may be destined for the wild card even with a 2-0 record down the stretch.

The Houston Texans, rolling after an 0-3 start, will make the playoffs if they win one game or the Indianapolis Colts lose one. However, they have greater aspirations to win the AFC South. There are a few ways for them to do that, including winning two down the stretch while the Jaguars lose their final two.

However, the Texans can also make up a game in the standings on the Jags and get in via a tiebreaker. Of note, if the Texans go 2-0 and the Jags go 1-1, then both teams will be at 12-5. The two teams split their season series, but the Texans would win the division thanks to the division tiebreaker (5-1 vs. 4-2).

Teams in the Hunt (and Closing Schedules)

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7): vs. JAX, at HOU

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8): at GB, vs. PIT

The Colts are down but not out. They need to win their final two games and hope the Houston Texans lose at the Los Angeles Chargers to make the playoffs. If that happens, both teams would be tied at 10-7, and the Colts would get in on the strength of victory tiebreaker, per Jack McKessy of USA Today.

The Ravens have a very tough road to the playoffs, especially with quarterback Lamar Jackson now doubtful for Saturday at the Green Bay Packers with a back injury. If Baltimore loses that game, or the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the host Cleveland Browns on Sunday, then the Ravens are home for the postseason.

However, a Ravens win and a Steelers loss will lead to a winner-take-all game for the AFC North in Week 18. If Baltimore wins, the Ravens and Steelers would be tied at 9-8. However, Baltimore would have the better division record (4-2 vs. 3-3) and get the tiebreaker.

Eliminated

10. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

13. New York Jets (3-12)

14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

15. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Division Leaders and Closing Schedules

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3, leads NFC West): at CAR, at SF *

2. Chicago Bears (11-4, leads NFC North): at SF, vs. DET *

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, clinched NFC East): at BUF, vs. WSH *

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7, leads NFC South): vs. SEA, at TB

* clinched playoffs

It's pretty simple for the Seattle Seahawks: They'll clinch the NFC West (and earn the conference's No. 1 seed) with wins over the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

The Chicago Bears need just one more win (or one Green Bay Packer loss) to clinch the NFC North. They can even get the NFC's No. 1 seed with wins in their final two games plus one Seahawks loss.

The Philadelphia Eagles have clinched the NFC East. They look destined for the No. 3 seed but can climb to No. 2 with a pair of wins in their final two games and a pair of losses for the Bears.

The Panthers can win the NFC South if they beat the Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose at the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. If one or both of those things don't happen, it'll be a winner-take-all game for the NFC South in two weeks.

Wild-Card Teams and Closing Schedules

5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4): vs. CHI, vs. SEA *

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4): at ATL, vs. ARI *

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1): vs. BAL, at MIN

* clinched playoffs

Like the Seahawks, the 49ers can clinch the division and the conference with wins in their last two games. They would have tiebreakers over the Seahawks (2-0 head-to-head) and Rams (1-1 head-to-head but a guaranteed better division record at 5-1 vs. 4-2).

The Rams' chances at winning the NFC West are nearly up in smoke after a tough 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, but there's still a chance. Of note, if the Rams win out, the Seahawks lose out and the 49ers lose to the Bears, L.A. will be 13-4, a game ahead of Seattle and San Francisco at 12-5 apiece.

The Packers have clinched a playoff berth after the Lions lost the Vikings. They would even win the division if they beat the Baltimore Ravens and Vikings in their last two games and the Bears lose to the 49ers and Lions.

Team In the Hunt and Closing Schedule

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8): at MIA, vs. CAR

Despite losing six of seven games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still control their own playoff destiny. It's simple: If they win their last two games, then they are in at 9-8. That would include a victory over the Panthers in Week 18.

Even if the Panthers beat the Seahawks and finish 9-8 in that scenario, Tampa Bay would leap Carolina by virtue of the common opponents tiebreaker.

The Bucs can even get in at 8-9, but their victory would need to happen against Carolina in Week 18. They would also need the Panthers to lose to Seattle, which would allow the Bucs to maintain their common opponents tiebreaker edge.

Eliminated

8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

9. Detroit Lions (8-8)

10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1)

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-12)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

16. New York Giants (2-13)